Grimsby mental health providers NAViGO are reaching out to local businesses to promote better mental health care for people in the work place.

NAViGO, who deliver a range of mental health services across North East Lincolnshire, hosted their Big Business Breakfast at Grimsby Town Hall to reinforce this year's World Mental Health Day theme that mental health support is essential in the work place.

Tom Hunter, Chairman of NAViGO Heath and Social Care, said: "This event is for Mental Health Awareness Day, and this year the theme is mental health in the work place.

“Part of our role is to engage with local businesses to promote better mental health – it’s good for the employees, and it’s good for the employers because if we have a healthy work force that is better for us generally.

“A part of this is to treat mental health the same as physical health, and to de-stigmatise mental health in the work place."

Tom Hunter, chairman of Navigo, speaks during the World Mental Health Day, Big Business Breakfast, hosted by Navigo, at the Grimsby Town Hall. (Image: Rick Byrne)

The event was attended by representatives of businesses across Grimsby, who could speak to members of NAViGO and experience the services they have to offer.

Tom believes that mental health isn't taken seriously enough in the work place, and because of this, staff don't feel comfortable reaching out to their employers if they're struggling with stress.

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A survey recently conducted by the Grimsby Telegraph in association with mental health charity Mind reinforces this idea - only 23 per cent of those who answered the questionnaire had been able to access mental health services through their workplace.

Disturbingly, 46 per cent of respondents also claimed their employer was aware of their struggles, but unwilling to help them.

This is something NAViGO is hoping to change - by educating businesses in what services are available to them at events like the Big Business Breakfast.

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Tom said: “For employers, taking care of physical health is routine, and a lot of employers have difficulty providing support for mental health.

“It’s about raising awareness, de-stigmatising the issue, and working with our community to promote better mental health.

“We want to build closer relationships with local businesses so we can reach out to them, and offer them support.

“We have lots of services that we can offer to them – we can make sure that businesses in our community understand how to sign post people to our services."

The World Mental Health Day, Big Business Breakfast, hosted by Navigo, at the Grimsby Town Hall.vPictured are, Maria Fortellis, head of HR at Young's Seafood, and Mark Silvester, employment specialist at Open Minds. (Image: Rick Byrne)

One of these services is provided by Mark Silvester, a retention employment specialist for Open Minds.

The organisation, which works as part of NAViGo Health and Social Care, provides a bespoke and structured employment support service on a one to one basis.

Mark began providing Grimsby employment giant Young's Seafood with his 'Staying Well in Work' programme three and a half years ago. He works with the company's HR department, helping to keep those at risk of leaving their jobs in employment.